Los Angeles City Mayor Announces Largest COVID-19 Testing Site at the Dodger Stadium

By Betti Halsell Contributing Writer

Published May 22, 2020

Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti. (Screen Shot)

Friday, May 22, Los Angeles City Mayor Eric Garcetti delivered news surrounding the COVID-19 outbreak. The County announced earlier today the opening of bike paths along the beach and curbside pickup for indoor malls. The mayor reinforced the parameters around the safety guidelines in order to safely be outside. Garcetti shared the latest numbers behind the spread of coronavirus.

Los Angeles continues to take strides into a new reality, there is a call for protection throughout the county. The mayor stressed to continue to be careful as bike paths along the beach are now open, Garcetti reinforced the guidelines which include the beach safety protocols; bringing your own mask and practicing physical distancing. Groups of any size are not allowed on the beach. Chairs, umbrellas, canopies, and grills will not be permitted. Piers, volleyball courts, and boardwalks are closed for the time being. Food vending or concessions stands will remain closed. Additionally, recreational zones along the L.A. River will be opening on Monday.

To safely expand the expedition to this new style of living, the mayor shared the progress in the Slow Streets L.A., Garcetti announced this movement last week, Slow Streets L.A. is an “initiative to temporarily calm traffic on some neighborhood streets to create space for Angelenos to walk, run, and bike.” This directive took effect in the Del Rey and Sawtelle areas. Residents took advantage of the extra space and there was no unnecessary crowding. The mayor is looking to expanding Slow Streets L.A. to Eagle Rock and Mid City.

The mayor reviewed the usage of car parades, they are allowed for celebratory moments such as graduations, birthdays, and other special days. Motorcycles, bikes, or vehicles without doors cannot be included in car parades. If any windows are down, the members in the car must be wearing a face mask. The parade must take place in a location large enough to accommodate physical distancing, the parade limit is connected to size of the location. There is no food vending or sales allowed during the parade.

Garcetti shared as of May 22, there were 35 additional deaths. This brings the total COVID-19 related deaths in the L.A. County to 2,049. There were 1,072 new cases reported, bringing the total of positive COVID-19 reports to 43,052. The latest numbers reflect a 3% increase, since May 21. There is a daily average of 940 new cases. Within the Los Angeles City, there were 450 new positive incidents of COVID-19, bringing the city’s total to 20,391 total reports. The infection rate before the Safer at Home initiative fell between a ratio of 3.0 to 5.0. Presently, the infection ratio sits at 1.0; These numbers help flatten the curve. Over 433,000 Angelenos have been tested for coronavirus. On Tuesday there will be a new testing site located in the Dodger Stadium. It will hold the capacity to test 6,000 people a day, which is the largest capacity that is available in any testing site.

Garcetti mentioned that Los Angeles needs to get their businesses back up. The mayor explained that shoppers are still not permitted to enter the mall, but indoor shopping centers are creating curbside pickup zones. All retail businesses in L.A. are now open for curbside pickup. Garcetti is looking for the city to adapt to this new lifestyle and health ordered safety measure, to prevent the spread of the virus. The mayor stated, “We can only meet this moment and save lives if we are all in.” Los Angeles is looking to take a brave new chapter into recovery, this memorial weekend shows more progress into a safer way to be integrated in working and restoring the economy.